Players who are not on the protected list can negotiate with other teams.

Lightning general manager Taylor Brown says now that the lists are in recruiting will start in a big way.

"(Lightning coach) Micheal Ray Richardson will be in town next week and we will hit the road," Brown said.

The Lightning are also planning at least two open tryouts, including one in Michigan.

The seven-team league had a successful first year of operation and will most likely expand for its second year. The emphasis for expansion would be in Ontario, where only the Oshawa Power and Lightning had franchises.

Five groups, St. Catharines, Mississauga, Ottawa, Windsor and Kitchener, have until June 15 to hand the league a $50,000 refundable deposit as well as having deals in place with facilities where they want to play.

There was also some discussion about Sydney, N.S having an interest in a franchise but that appears to have lagged. The only other major change will have the Quebec Kebs moving from Quebec and playing out of another undetermined location in the province.